Free Angel Baby by Leslie Kelly Page B

grin. "I'll really be in trouble
then, won't I?"
     Claudia fell into a comforting sense of home in the little
house. Leaving the windows open while she slept was utter heaven, a luxury
she’d never been able to indulge in Philadelphia. And Claudia loved lounging on
the grassy lawn with Sarah every afternoon when they arrived home.
    Then there was Dorien. She was not only a terrific landlady,
but also a very good neighbor, never intruding, but occasionally stopping by to
say hello. As for her other closest neighbor...Claudia hadn’t seen him, except
at work, since the day she moved in.
    “Now, you’ve got to promise to be a good girl for Mrs.
Campbell, all right sweetie? She can’t be chasing you all over the place,”
Claudia said as she carried the baby, and the gate, across the lawn to the main
house on Saturday morning. “She’s just going to watch you for a little while.
Mommy will be right next door.”
    Claudia was still unsure about leaving the baby with the
elderly woman for a few hours, but Dorien had been so excited at the prospect
of babysitting. And Claudia couldn’t very well bring the baby with her. She had
to work for a little while. At Chase’s house.
    “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” she muttered as she walked
up the steps and rang Dorien’s doorbell.
    The past week at work had gone smoothly, and Claudia had
managed to remain calm and distant with her new boss. Neither of them mentioned
the sparks that had passed between them, and Claudia sensed he was as glad
about that as she.
    She just didn’t know what to do about these feelings she had
for him. They overwhelmed her, actually frightened her a little in their
intensity. Even with Joe, who she’d loved deeply, she’d never felt as
completely aware of her most sensual yearnings as she did with Chase Paxton.
    “Oh, you’re here,” Dorien said when she opened the door, a
huge smile of welcome on her face. “I’ve been so excited all morning. Sarah and
I are going to have such fun.”
    Grinning at the woman’s exuberance, Claudia entered the
house. Dropping the diaper bag on the floor, she glanced around the foyer
noticing no low-lying bric-a-brac to draw Sarah’s attention.
    “Ah, I know how to handle a baby, my dear,” Dorien said.
“Look over there.”
    Claudia glanced into the living room. The mantle was crowded
with statuary and some intricately detailed wood carvings. “I guess you do
understand,” Claudia said with a laugh. “If she can reach it, she will grab it.
If she can’t reach it, she’ll still try.”
    “Now, now, don’t you worry about a thing. I’ve shut the door
to the dining room, and we’ll put this gate up here on this side. Miss Sarah
can use my entire living room as a play pen this morning.”
    Noticing the plush toys lying on the immaculately clean
carpeted floor, Claudia glanced at Dorien. The older woman shrugged.
    “If Sarah’s going to visit me, she’ll need some things here
to keep her occupied.”
    “You’re very kind, Dorien,” Claudia said softly, touched by
the woman’s thoughtfulness. “I’m so glad we found you.”
    “I found you, young lady,” Dorien retorted. “Now, get going.
I know that grandson of mine is anxious to have you come over and set up that
new computer of his. Boys and their toys....”
    Claudia impulsively gave the woman a kiss on the cheek,
seeing the other's eyes twinkle at the gesture. Giving Sarah a quick squeeze,
Claudia left, but paused to peek back through the front window.  Dorien was
already lying on the floor trying to tempt Sarah with a stuffed Dalmatian.
    Making her way through the copse of trees which blocked
Chase’s house from view, Claudia wondered again if she’d been crazy to agree to
spend the morning in his house. When he’d first mentioned it earlier in the
week, she’d nearly refused. There was, however, the small matter of her job.
She knew when Chase hired her that he wanted to set up a work station at his
home.
    “Quit lying to